Frequencies of PrP genotypes in meat breeds of Japanese sheep and trail of selective breeding in experimental sheep flock

The selection of sheep with scrapie-resistant PrP genotypes is one of the control measures for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in ruminants. In this study, we investigated the frequencies of PrP genotypes in meat breeds in Japan. The nationwide surveillance revealed that nearly half of the Suffolk sheep, a major meat breed in Japan, carried scrapie-susceptible AQ/AQ and AQ/VQ genotypes. In addition, the VQ haplotype, which confers high susceptibility to scrapie within sheep, was also found in Poll Dorset sheep. A trial of selective breeding using sires with scrapie-resistant PrP genotypes AQ/AR and AR/AR could raise the ratio of scrapie-resistant sheep from less than 50% to 80% within 3 years. However, the use of sires with the AR/AR genotype and the selection of ewes would be required to achieve a higher ratio of scrapie-resistant sheep.     

Construction of monopartite geminivirus-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vectors using a two-component strategy

Journal of General Plant Pathology - Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a rapid and efficient tool to elucidate plant gene functions by inserting a target gene fragment into a viral genome and...     

New analogs of pochonicine,a potent β-N-acetylglucosaminidase inhibitor from fungus Pochonia suchlasporia var. suchlasporia TAMA 87

Three novel analogs of pochonicine (1) were isolated from a solid fermentation culture of the fungal strain Pochonia suchlasporia var. suchlasporia TAMA 87, and their structures were elucidated as 7-deoxypochonicine (2), 6-deoxypochonicine (3), and 6,7-dideoxypochonicine (4). These analogs were found to possess the same stereochemistry as pochonicine. Comparison of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (GlcNAcase) inhibitory activity between these analogs and pochonicine suggested that the C-6 hydroxy group of pochonicine was essential to its potent GlcNAcase inhibitory activity and that the C-7 hydroxy group also contributed to the activity, but to a lesser extent than the C-6 hydroxy group.     

New localities and awn morphology variation in Miscanthus ×ogiformis

Miscanthus ×ogiformis is a hybrid between Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Miscanthus sinensis and its several synonyms indicate the insufficient understanding of the morphological variation of its awn on the spikelet, which is a key characteristic for identifying Miscanthus species. In the present study, all the Miscanthus specimens in 19 herbaria were examined in order to find new localities for Miscanthus ×ogiformis. Thirty‐nine Miscanthus ×ogiformis specimens appeared to be naturally occurring hybrids, as their callus hair length, awn length, and callus‐to‐spikelet ratio differed from those found in the parental species. Therefore, new Miscanthus ×ogiformis individuals with morphological variations are likely to be discovered and these strains might be useful as new genetic resources for this biomass crop.     

Better management practices and their outcomes in shrimp farming: evidence from small-scale shrimp farmers in Southern Vietnam

Despite the growth of aquaculture exports from developing countries to developed countries in recent years, a high percentage of these products are rejected at developed countries’ ports because of non-compliance with international standards. This paper presents a case study of the shrimp aquaculture sector in Vietnam to examine the factors behind the persistence of such port rejections. In particular, we focus on why the so-called better management practices (BMPs) are not appropriately adopted by many farmers and examine whether the number and types of information sources matter in farmers’ decisions on BMP adoption and whether BMP adoption actually leads to better performances. On the basis of our estimation using primary data collected in Southern Vietnam, we find that information sources and training experiences indeed matter in the adoption of a higher number of BMPs and that BMP adoption indeed reduces the possibility of disease outbreaks. These results prove the effectiveness of BMPs and suggest the importance of disseminating knowledge regarding them to farmers through experts.